Why the UK is dithering over what to do about e-scooters

Why the UK is dithering over what to do about e-scootersPublished3 minutes agoByKaty AustinTransport correspondentWhen I step out of Southampton Central railway station, it takes me just seconds to spot an e-scooter. In this city, these devices have become a normal part of the transport ecosystem, along with e-bikes."It's just the most convenient way to commute from home to the station and back," says Keith Reed, who I speak to as he arrives at the station to catch a train to London. Keith says uses rental e-scooters twice a week. His alternative option would be his bike, but he'd then have to worry about where to leave it.Around the city, there are parking areas for bright orange rental devices everywhere - but they're not necessarily a permanent feature. Southampton hosts one of the numerous government-backed trials around England. This one has been going on since 2021.Image caption, A study suggests around half of users of e-scooter do so in conjunction with another mode of transport - like Keith, who rides to the railway stationIt also doesn't take long to find e-scooters which aren't part of the trial, but instead are owned by individuals. I see a man riding one along the pavement outside a parade of shops. He doesn't want to stop and talk.These privately owned e-scooters are illegal to ride on public roads across the UK, but they've proliferated regardless. One expert told me the situation was a "Wild West".Among people I spoke to in Southampton, the same concerns came up time and time again: "They're a blinking nuisance," says elderly pedestrian Fred. Another shopper, Martin, says he's "very concerned" whenever he sees them racing through precincts: "An accident's almost inevitable."The endgame of the trials is to reach a decision on whether to make permanent hired e-scooter schemes such as the one Keith uses - and whether to bring in legislation that would leg...